Board of Directors

Xavier Romano

Board President

Gina Galaviz-Yap

Board Vice President

Mike McLaughlin

Board Treasurer

Noelle Colby-Rotell

Board Secretary

Kevin Aleman

Board Member

Amy Ashton-Williams

Board Member

Luci Longoria

Board Member

Megan Lee Price-Gomeza, MSW

Board Member

Mathew Stringer

Board Member

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Xavier Romano, Board President

I am the Executive Director of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc, and the President of the board of Euvalcree. I hold a B.A. from University of Oregon, a Masters from Santa Clara University, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of San Francisco. I have had the opportunity to “experience the world” through my consultancy work in higher education, taking me to countries like Saudi Arabia, England, Poland, Germany, and others! I was a recipient for the Fraternity Chairman’s Medal for Excellence this past year. Sigma Lambda Beta, founded 35 years ago, is the largest Latino-based multicultural collegiate Greek-letter organization with membership on 110 campuses from coast-to-coast. Utilizing my extensive and profound knowledge and experience, I advocate for, guide, mentor, and council our collegiate community to enhance outcomes at all levels.

I am filled with personal joy when I am able to provide access to the university environment and being able to mentor young Latino professionals. I am passionate about service to my community, of which Euvalcree is very much a part of. We provide a level of engagement and service in Eastern Oregon that is unmatched anywhere in Oregon. Even though I am located in Iowa, I support Euvalcree’s Executive Director and, through him, the staff and  programs.

Gina Galaviz-Yap, Board Member

I am currently serving as Oregon State University’s Juntos Statewide Director and as the Vice President of Euvalcree board. I hold a B.S. in Business Administration and Masters in Education. The program I direct, called Junto or Together, works to empower Latino students and families around education. Our goal is to prevent Latino youth from dropping out of high school and to empower families to work together to reach their post-secondary education goals. As a first generation daughter of immigrants and a Latina college graduate, I can relate and personally advocate for the communities I represent. One of my greatest successes has been serving more than 5,000 Latino families since 2012, with 90% graduating college. My work parallels Euvalcree’s work in that we bring together diverse perspectives and experiences to resolve challenges within our communities.

Mike McLaughlin, Board Treasurer

I am currently retired and previously served as the Mayor of the City of Vale for 12 years. I am the President and Chairman of Property Development and Acquisition of FuMac Inc. I also used to be a professional baseball player. As for my formal education, I obtained my B.S. from Portland State University. I sit on the Executive Committee of the Euvalcree board and hold the position of Treasurer. Through my current and past work, I can advocate and help community members and ensure we have the necessary tools to create a resourceful environment. An example of this is seen in the new Vale Senior Center. My persistent and advocacy also brought about a new arsenic removal system for the City of Vale that was critical for our water system.

I bring creative solutions and an open mind to the table, building relationships and identifying long-lasting solutions to matters at hand. Protecting the youth and aiding in their development is something I am very passionate about. I am proud of my assistance in developing community partnerships with several high school seniors to do their senior projects, teaching and mentoring our rural community’s future leaders. With over a decade of Mayoral experiences, one of my biggest accomplishments was facilitating and supporting green technologies around the City of Vale and pushing Vale to be the “greenest little city in Oregon.”

All of my work I believe ties in with the mission of Euvalcree. Helping communities that are underrepresented, assisting the youth, providing assistance with immigration, housing, insurance, food, and transportation – these are just the tip of the iceberg of what we do for our community at Euvalcree.

Noelle Colby-Rotell, Board Member

I serve as Community Development Coordinator for the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) in Harney County, Oregon. I hold a Master’s in Communication Studies and feel honored to serve as a board member for Euvalcree. I promote healthy, resilient families and communities in Eastern Oregon and seek to connect people to resources to help them thrive.

I can see the steps of Euvalcree making a real difference in people’s and family’s lives. Euvalcree’s ability to engage and galvanize large numbers of people around issues and opportunities that make a difference in their daily lives is testimony to the organization’s relevance and importance in our community and beyond.

Kevin Aleman, Board Member

I am currently a student at Treasure Valley Community College. I serve as member of the board helping our community in the progression and proper representation of communities surrounding Eastern Oregon. Currently, I am living in Ontario and feel it is important to continue in our goal of providing better living for everyone in Malheur County and the surrounding areas.

I believe it is important that individuals who are willing to help in the development of their community that they are provided the proper resources so that everyone is given an opportunity to be heard and properly represented. As well as given proper and fair treatment.

I love watching everyone from my family, friends and community gather at events that we worked hard to develop. Seeing community come together has been one of the things that has made me continue to believe and strengthen my passion in working with EUVALCREE.

I have been a student ambassador for Treasure Valley Community College. I also served as the president of the Hispanic Student Organization at Treasure Valley Community College. I was a varsity athlete in soccer and tennis for Ontario High School. I was also recognized for my volunteer work at the Ontario Recreation Department. The biggest honor I have is being the youngest board member of EUVALCREE and serving as the Vice-President for three years.

Amy Ashton-Williams, Board Member

My name is Amy, and I am the Executive Director of Oregon Washington Health Network (OWhN). OWhN’s mission is to integrate physical, mental, behavioral and public health services to improve health outcomes and health equity focusing on access, quality and cost effectiveness. Our vision is that citizens in Umatilla, Union, Morrow and Walla Walla Counties are the healthiest in the two state regions. As the Executive Director, I work with network members and community partners to better understand the gaps in healthcare and work to find funding to fill those gaps. I am passionate about serving and having healthcare services available for individuals who are stigmatized, marginalized and discarded by the medical community due to their diagnosis, ethnicity, race, or other factors that current societal thought deems them unworthy.

As a EUVALCREE board member, I see my work is to support and offer guidance to the Director and management team. As a fellow Director, I know that it can be difficult to manage a growing organization. Having a board that can critically evaluate your vision and work allows the Director to lead their team with confidence. I am new to this board but despite this, I think that one win has been the connections I have made with the Director and the other board members and our goal of improving services offered by EUVALCREE. Currently, I am an LCSW and a CADC II. I earned my B.S. from Eastern Oregon University, and my MSW from Walla Walla University

Luci Longoria, Board Member

I am a Manager working with State Policy, Systems and Environmental Change, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, the Public Health Division, and the Oregon Health Authority. I also serve as a member of the Board of Directors of Euvalcree. I hold a Master’s degree in Public Health with an emphasis on Health Promotion, Advocacy, and Social Change. I work collaboratively with people and organizations across Oregon to ensure that the places we live, work, play, learn, and gather are supportive of community health needs. Everyone in Oregon should have a shot at living a long, healthful, and joyous life. Doing this work has instilled in me a passion for health and justice equity.

It has been a privilege to see my work flourish, but the best part of my work is having the opportunity to work with talented, compassionate, and tenacious people. Together we have cultivated strong leaders! I share with Euvalcree a strong belief in the power of community. Everyone has something worthwhile, wise, and meaningful to contribute toward figuring out the best ways we can live and govern our lives, together.

Megan Lee Price-Gomeza, MSW, Board Member

Currently, I serve as a Social Worker and Program Development Consultant for Integrated Healthcare. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis on Public Administration, Program Implementation, and Program Evaluation from Northwest Nazarene University. I design programs that emphasize broad access through diversity, equity, and inclusion principles. Cultural groups and rural frontier communities have a history of inadequate access or lower-quality service, and my aim is to reconcile those inequities through my work. My organization, and my practice, have always focused on rural frontier areas which have significant diversity in all aspects of life. My particular passion for serving the Latinx community comes from my tri-cultural family background (European, Basque, and Mexican-American).

I currently sit on Euvalcree’s Board of Directors. I believe in Euvalcree’s ability to continue growing and developing to meet community needs more deeply and across a broader geographic area. During my time working with Euvalcree, I was most thrilled to involve Euvalcree member’s voices in our state and county Community Health Improvement plan, representing their unique needs in the areas of health care access and the social determinants of health.

Mathew Stringer, Board Member

I am the Executive Director of the Four Rivers Cultural Center and a board member at Euvalcree. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Business and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Throughout my career, I have received several awards for my work with disabled children as well as work in the area of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Four Rivers Cultural Center serves Malheur County and western Idaho. Our mission is to “unite our community through the celebration and education of diversity and culture.” We ensure access to education and the arts for children, families, and the elderly community. We provide a multitude of affordable, often free, live events, discourses, learning activities, musical performances, and other events. I am passionate about achieving equity, being positive, and spreading my love of music and art! The work Euvalcree does is led by a bright team, and they work to help people for the greater good.

Roberto Gamboa, Director of Operations and Community Development

I currently act as the Director of Operations & Community Development for EUVALCREE, supporting rural and BIPOC (Black and Indigenous People of Color) community members in Eastern Oregon. I am passionate about making changes to our policies and systems to truly benefit our local communities that are not being served equally or equitably. I genuinely believe that the work I do with Euvalcree is essential and brings positive change.

I firmly believe that our work uplifts our communities in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as an organization, we have helped over 200 families with assistance like rent/mortgage, utilities, food, and other resources they needed to quarantine and isolate. This has brought an immense feeling of pride and joy. I currently hold an Associates in General Studies from Treasure Valley Community College.